Punchestown Friday 'Ladies Day' nightmare

westlife2010

Went 3 days to the festival and I have to say Friday at Punchestown is prob the worst experience I have had at a race meeting in 30 years. My better half came with me and agreed it was horrible. She has been to the Curragh, Galway, Naas, Leop, Fairyhouse, Cheltenham and Aintree and said it was the most uncomfortable she has ever felt at a race meeting. Crowd comprised mostly of 13-17 year olds who became even more annoying when they got pissed (about race 4 was the winning post for this!). Went to the stands to watch the 2m maiden Hurdle (race 5) and had to put up with 2 dick heads pushing and shoving each other, with full pints, in a packed stand until they got exactly what they were looking for.... throwing drink all over people around them. Im glad I was there with my wife otherwise, today I would be barred from every racecourse in Ireland for 5 years! This 'crowd' has been getting worse and worse every year on the friday and this day has as much affiliation with 'ladies day' as Derek Thompson has with race commentating!

And, have the gambling laws changed? I witnessed several people, clearly no more than 13 or 14 years of age, having bets with the Books and Tote! Punchestown need to take a serious look at whats going on, especially on this day..............

sorry, im having a grumpy old man day

convert

I've found it's the same everywhere, esp if you're not in the reserved enclosure. That's not meant to sound snobby, but I find that the teenagers won't pay the extra few bob for a reserved enclosure ticket, thus providing a safe zone for the rest of us!! Though, in fairness, I actually thought that the Friday this year was a vast improvement on last year. Much fewer drunken teenagers and I actually didn't have step over any this year (which is always good)!

As for gambling - I've been using the tote and bookies since I was about 12 or 13, so that bit wouldn't bother me too much. And again, this isn't just a Punchestown thing, either. I used to 'gamble' a whole £1 at any racecourse I was at....

westlife2010

convert wrote: »

I've found it's the same everywhere, esp if you're not in the reserved enclosure. That's not meant to sound snobby, but I find that the teenagers won't pay the extra few bob for a reserved enclosure ticket, thus providing a safe zone for the rest of us!! Though, in fairness, I actually thought that the Friday this year was a vast improvement on last year. Much fewer drunken teenagers and I actually didn't have step over any this year (which is always good)!

As for gambling - I've been using the tote and bookies since I was about 12 or 13, so that bit wouldn't bother me too much. And again, this isn't just a Punchestown thing, either. I used to 'gamble' a whole £1 at any racecourse I was at....

snob!:D I actually had reserved enclosure tickets but found the athmosphere dead down in that makeshift stand. Went up to the stands and got too much athmosphere!:rolleyes: I have gone to every festival, here and the UK and have come across some drunken stuff in my time but never with so many obviously under age drinkers.

I retract the gambling comment. My father took me racing since I was 8...........I always got a bet on;)

convert

westlife2010 wrote: »

that makeshift stand.

Are you talking about the 'seats' near the last fence? It did seem pretty quiet, alright. I love the steps/uncovered stand - that to me is the 'real' Punchestown....

deewhy

Same day but different subject - I too brought my wife who dressed up in the hope of entering for best dressed ... knowing beforehand that it would no doubt be fixed again. Did they disappoint in this regard - no chance.

When we arrived about an hour and half before racing the photographers were busy taking loads of pictures of 2 or 3 ladies with one in particular getting extra attention. When the announcement came about the winner .. surprise surprise it was the lady getting the photo taken.

Her profile was a boutique owner in Portlaois. The day before's winner a boutique owner and wife of Michael Hourigan Jnr, earlier in week winner another women who's boyfriend was involved in racing. Another winner had her hat sponsored by a boutique!

Two years ago in the Curragh one of the judges - Celia Holman Lee - gave first prize to a girl who it transpired was one of her models in her agency!

This whole area is a disgrace - completely fixed. I feel sorry for all the genuine ladies who make a big effort to look good on the day. There are some big prizes here - I think the value was €20k in P'Town.

Not that it matters to me as I am there for the racing but I do think that it is another reason why ladies in particular are put off going racing. It also puts another stain on the racing industry.

onimpulse

I was there on Friday too & had a great day. I've been going racing for years - some of my earliest memories are in Galway & I've pretty much seen every major and most minor meetings around the country at this stage so I think I can judge how it compares to other meetings.

There were a lot of young people - but I think thats a good thing... They are the future owners / trainers / jockeys....

As for the drinking - I think Lepordstown is by far the worst for that! I've started to avoid the Christmas meeting there for that reason. Then again - even those people are paying in, betting etc & thereby supporting the industry. It takes all sorts... and that's a good thing.

Finally, my friend won best dressed lady one of the days last year... she's not connected to anyone and wasn't sponsored by anyone - it wasn't a fix.

westlife2010

onimpulse wrote: »

There were a lot of young people - but I think thats a good thing... They are the future owners / trainers / jockeys....

........ car thieves / shop lifters / junkies......


(ONLY JOKING!):D:D:D

westlife2010

deewhy wrote: »

Same day but different subject - I too brought my wife who dressed up in the hope of entering for best dressed ... knowing beforehand that it would no doubt be fixed again. Did they disappoint in this regard - no chance.

When we arrived about an hour and half before racing the photographers were busy taking loads of pictures of 2 or 3 ladies with one in particular getting extra attention. When the announcement came about the winner .. surprise surprise it was the lady getting the photo taken.

Her profile was a boutique owner in Portlaois. The day before's winner a boutique owner and wife of Michael Hourigan Jnr, earlier in week winner another women who's boyfriend was involved in racing. Another winner had her hat sponsored by a boutique!

Two years ago in the Curragh one of the judges - Celia Holman Lee - gave first prize to a girl who it transpired was one of her models in her agency!

This whole area is a disgrace - completely fixed. I feel sorry for all the genuine ladies who make a big effort to look good on the day. There are some big prizes here - I think the value was €20k in P'Town.

Not that it matters to me as I am there for the racing but I do think that it is another reason why ladies in particular are put off going racing. It also puts another stain on the racing industry.

100% right, we arrived a few seconds after the finish of race 1 and they were on stage awarding the best dressed prize?? Agree that a 'select few' are chosen.

westlife2010

convert wrote: »

Are you talking about the 'seats' near the last fence? It did seem pretty quiet, alright. I love the steps/uncovered stand - that to me is the 'real' Punchestown....

yip, they were the ones.

convert

I've started a thread in the Ladies' Lounge (which can be found here) to see what ladies' opinions are on this topic.

Thanks to deewhy for allowing me quote him!

westlife2010

westlife2010 wrote: »

And, have the gambling laws changed? I witnessed several people, clearly no more than 13 or 14 years of age, having bets with the Books and Tote! Punchestown need to take a serious look at whats going on, especially on this day..............

sorry, im having a grumpy old man day

I don't see why this is a problem, I think most of us who have an interest in racing started at a young age. I started betting with £1 place bets (doing the bet myself) at the Galway races when I was in national school so I was probably around 10.

I wasn't up myself on the Friday but my mother was, now obviously she was there for a day out rather than just the racing but she had a great day and didn't complain about anything.

Cantoris

convert wrote: »

Much fewer drunken teenagers and I actually didn't have step over any this year (which is always good)!

You obviously didn't notice the two large bins full of drink outside the student and kiddies stile. They learnt some hard lessons last year and made the appropriate changes this year. I was there on Friday. No issue. I've had to put up with worse in Croker. However, if someone had a bad experience, that is unfortunate.